Penrith has revealed the replacement for star winger Taylan May, who will miss the preliminary final through suspension.
South Sydney has received mixed news on the injury front as a blockbuster rematch with Penrith looms.
The Rabbitohs’ semi-final victory over Cronulla came at a cost with winger Alex Johnston (hip), utility forward Siliva Havili (calf), and Origin forward Jai Arrow (hip) all injured.
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At training on Tuesday the Rabbitohs confirmed Havili will miss Saturday’s preliminary final clash with the Panthers.
The positive news is Arrow has been cleared to resume his fiery battle with the Penrith pack. Johnston remains under an injury cloud, but will be named in the team on Tuesday afternoon.
All four teams will be announced at 4pm Tuesday.
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FRIDAY
North Queensland Cowboys vs Parramatta Eels at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 7.50pm
Referee: Grant Atkins
Cowboys: 1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Peta Hiku 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Chad Townsend 8. Jordan McLean 9. Reece Robson 10. Reuben Cotter 11. Tom Gilbert 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15. Luciano Leilua 16. Coen Hess 17. Griffin Neame 18. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 19. Tomas Chester 20. Jake Granville 21. Brendan Elliot 22. Ben Hampton
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Tom Opacic 5. Waqa Blake 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali’i 13. Ryan Matterson 14. Bryce Cartwright 15. Jakob Arthur 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Marata Niukore 18. Makahesi Makatoa 19. Bailey Simonsson 20. Nathan Brown 21. Ofahiki Ogden 22. Ky Rodwell
Analysis: North Queensland is unchanged from the team that beat Cronulla in a 93-minute thriller a fortnight earlier. Parramatta brings Bryce Cartwright onto the bench with Makahesi Makatoa out of the team.
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SATURDAY
Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Accor Stadium, 7.50pm
Referee: Ashley Klein
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Sean O’Sullivan 19. Matt Eisenhuth 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Sunia Turuva 22. Chris Smith
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Ilias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow 13. Cameron Murray 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Hame Sele 16. Michael Chee Kam 17. Jed Cartwright 18. Davvy Moale 19. Blake Taaffe 20. Josh Mansour 21. Richard Kennar 22. Jacob Host
Analysis: Penrith lose Taylan May to suspension, and he is replaced by Charlie Staines on the wing. South Sydney lose Siliva Havili to a calf injury and bring Jed Cartwright onto the bench, while winger Alex Johnston is reportedly “50/50” to play as he battles a hip problem. If Johnston is ruled out, the Rabbitohs have veteran wing specialist Josh Mansour in the extended squad.
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